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Dr. Jamison Hunter

Dr. Jamison Douglas Hytche Hunter is a visionary pastor, scholar, author, and community leader whose ministry has been marked by dynamic preaching, transformational leadership, and a steadfast commitment to spiritual formation, social engagement, and academic excellence. Born in Austin, Texas, and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, Dr. Hunter answered the call to preach the Gospel as a teenager and has since dedicated his life to advancing the Kingdom of God through preaching, teaching, mentorship, and servant leadership.

Dr. Hunter’s passion for learning and theological scholarship is reflected in his distinguished academic journey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2006, a Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity in 2009, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in 2012. His pursuit of intellectual and spiritual growth has positioned him as a respected voice in preaching, leadership development, and prophetic ministry.

In recognition of his excellence in preaching and leadership, Dr. Hunter was inducted in 2013 into the distinguished Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers. He is also the author of the book, Beyond the Walls: Transforming Worshippers to Witnesses, which reflects his passion for discipleship and empowering believers to impact the world beyond the church sanctuary.

Deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of ministry leaders, Dr. Hunter served from 2013 to 2019 as the youngest doctoral mentor to the Gardner C. Taylor Scholars, a cohort of doctoral candidates focused on prophetic leadership, social justice, and political engagement. Continuing his investment in theological education, he currently co-leads a doctoral cohort centered on preaching and leadership for small- to mid-sized congregations.

Dr. Hunter began his pastoral ministry in November 2009 when he was called as the sixth pastor of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. During his tenure, the church experienced renewed energy, significant growth, and impactful ministry expansion. Under his leadership, the congregation successfully eliminated a $600,000 debt on its multi-purpose facility and completed a transformative $2.2 million capital project, which included the construction of a new worship and youth center and the renovation of the original sanctuary into administrative offices. His visionary leadership positioned the church for both spiritual and institutional growth until his resignation in 2020.

In September 2020, Dr. Hunter was called to serve as the eighth pastor of Mount Jezreel Baptist Church. Beginning his pastorate during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the church through an extensive modernization of its worship experience and technological infrastructure. Under his leadership, the sanctuary and pulpit were redesigned to include a new baptismal pool, upgraded sound and lighting systems, cameras, and advanced media capabilities, allowing the church to effectively connect both in-person worshippers and virtual audiences around the world.

Since assuming leadership at Mount Jezreel, Pastor Hunter has guided the church through a season of revitalization, discipleship growth, and organizational transformation. He restructured the church’s Bible Institute into “Truth” Small Group Studies to deepen biblical engagement and spiritual formation among members. Demonstrating a heart for holistic ministry, he established Divorce Care and Rachel’s Circle ministries to provide healing and support for individuals navigating personal loss and life transitions. Pastor Hunter’s passion for youth development gave rise to the E3 Ministry, a dynamic initiative designed to equip, educate, and empower young people to become strong disciples and future leaders. His leadership has also included the acquisition of two church vans to strengthen outreach and transportation ministries, the restructuring of church administration, and the ordination and mentorship of emerging ministers and leaders.

His tenure at Mount Jezreel has been marked by several historic milestones. In October 2023, the church celebrated its historic 150th Church Anniversary, honoring a rich legacy of faith, worship, and community impact. In April 2026, Pastor Hunter celebrated his fifth pastoral anniversary, commemorating five years of visionary and transformative leadership and 15 years in pastoral ministry.

Beyond the church walls, Dr. Hunter has remained deeply engaged in community empowerment and social responsibility. Under his leadership, Mount Jezreel has sustained consecutive years of impactful outreach initiatives, including food distributions, health fairs, job fairs, voter awareness campaigns, and community service efforts aimed at meeting both spiritual and practical needs. He has also overseen ongoing church renovations and campus improvements, ensuring that the ministry’s physical environment reflects the spirit of excellence and growth within the congregation.

Dr. Hunter is actively engaged in civic and fraternal organizations. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, an active member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Dr. Hunter comes from a rich heritage of Christian leadership, education, and service. His father, Dr. Jimmy D. Hunter, serves as pastor of Toliver Chapel Baptist Church, while his mother, Dr. Pamelia Hunter, faithfully served for more than 20 years as Director of the Center for Assessment at Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas. His maternal grandfather, the late Dr. William P. Hytche, served with distinction for 28 years as President of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Above all, Dr. Hunter treasures his family. He is married to his best friend and partner in ministry, Dr. Patrice Hunter, and together they are the proud parents of three beloved children: Jamie D., Janae D., and Jamison D. H. II. Grounded in faith, family, scholarship, and service, Dr. Jamison Douglas Hytche Hunter continues to impact lives and communities through visionary leadership, prophetic preaching, and an unwavering commitment to the work of Christ.